T-72 operators and variants: Difference between revisions

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[[File:T-72 B3 (27053439397).jpg|thumb|T-72B3M obr.2016]]

*'''T-72B3M obr.2016''': a further upgrade of the T-72B3, produced since 2016 by overhauling and upgrading old T-72B tanks from storage.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://tass.com/defense/921184 |title=Russian defense contractor puts new types of armament into production this year |access-date=23 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161223162841/http://tass.com/defense/921184 |archive-date=23 December 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> The purpose was to use the same gun, ammunition, ATGM, ERA etc. as the T-90 M tank to simplify supply lines. There is a new gun 2A46M-5 with new anti-tank ammunition Svinets-1 (tungsten) and Svinets-2 (depleted uranium). New 2E58 gun stabilizer is responsible for improved aiming time. 9K119M Refleks-M system is used to launch 9M119M Invar (also called Reflex-M) ATGM through gun barrel. New PK-PAN panoramic commander sight with thermal vision only seen on a limited number of vehicles while all the rest are using older TKN-3MK commander`s sight.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://murtiedjokobayu.medium.com/the-essential-guides-to-vehicles-t-72-996d7b9068f | title=The Essential Guides to Vehicles: T-72 | date=22 December 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bellingcat.com/resources/2015/05/28/tankspotting-how-to-identify-the-t-72b3/ | title=Tankspotting: How to Identify the T-72B3 | date=28 May 2015 }}</ref> Retained Sosna-U gunner`s sight and crosswind sensor. New Kalina fire control system, although in simplified form.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://rg.ru/2017/04/06/reg-cfo/foto-pod-moskvoj-zamecheny-neobychnye-tanki.html |title=Фото: Под Москвой замечены необычные танки |date=6 April 2017 |access-date=15 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170517165133/https://rg.ru/2017/04/06/reg-cfo/foto-pod-moskvoj-zamecheny-neobychnye-tanki.html |archive-date=17 May 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://rostec.ru/news/4520300 |title=Ростех :: Новости :: Новинки парада Победы – 2017 |access-date=15 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170509034044/http://rostec.ru/news/4520300 |archive-date=9 May 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> {{Unreliable source?|date=March 2023}} There is new radio communication equipment as well as GLONASS satellite navigation. Driver is using older TVN-5 periscope with additional display from rear view camera. The automotive performance of the tank was improved with a more powerful V-92S2F engine rated at 1,130&nbsp;hp (830&nbsp;kW) coupled to an automatic transmission system and improved drivetrain.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Wolski|first1=Jaroslaw|title=PT-91 Twardy – Modernizacja Zamiast Fikcji?|journal=Nowa Technika Wojskowa|date=September 2015|issue=9|page=38}}</ref> Protection is improved by Relikt new generation ERA mounted on sides of both hull and turret, while cage armor was added to the rear. [[Kontakt-5]] ERA is retained over the frontal arc and turret top. There is also increased protection against AT land mines. The Russian Defense Ministry ordered several hundred T-72B3M tanks, and received the first twenty in early 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://tass.ru/en/russia/768012 |title=Russian Defense Ministry to get several hundred T-72B3 tanks |access-date=19 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150619200759/http://tass.ru/en/russia/768012 |archive-date=19 June 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ria.ru/arms/20170209/1487602619.html |title=Партия танков Т-72Б3 поступила в части Первой танковой армии в Подмосковье |date=9 February 2017 |access-date=17 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170218143235/https://ria.ru/arms/20170209/1487602619.html |archive-date=18 February 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://armstrade.org/includes/periodics/mainnews/2022/0817/084269022/detail.shtml | title=ЦАМТО / Главное / На форуме «Армия-2022» подписаны 7 и вручены 29 госконтрактов с 26 предприятиями ОПК }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://armstrade.org/includes/periodics/news/2022/0822/142069133/detail.shtml | title=ЦАМТО / / Сергей Чемезов: «Ростех» на «Армии-2022» заключил с Минобороны контракты на сумму более 130 млрд. рублей }}</ref> The cost to upgrade a T-72 to the T-72B3 obr.2016 standard was around 78.9 million rubles in 2016.<ref name="mil.today"/>

::*'''T-72B3A (2016)''': Previously described model T-72B3M obr. 2016 with Arena-M active protection system (APS) and Nakidka thermal tarp. <ref>{{Cite web |url=https://crib-blog.blogspot.com/2021/06/t-72b3-obr2016-equipped-with-arena-m-aps.html |title=T-72B3 Obr.2016 equipped with Arena-M APS |access-date=7 July 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250000000000*/https://crib-blog.blogspot.com/2021/06/t-72b3-obr2016-equipped-with-arena-m-aps.html |archive-date=7 July 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://crib-blog.blogspot.com/2021/07/t-72b3-arena-m-continuation.html |title=T-72B3 Arena-M continuation |access-date=7 July 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250000000000*/https://crib-blog.blogspot.com/2021/07/t-72b3-arena-m-continuation.html |archive-date=7 July 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref>

::*Unmanned version of T-72B3M is (as of December 2018) under development.<ref name="urlRobotized T-72s in Russia? - Defense Update:">{{cite web |url=https://defense-update.com/20181209_robotized_tanks.html |title=Robotized T-72s in Russia? - Defense Update |date=9 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181222082051/https://defense-update.com/20181209_robotized_tanks.html |archive-date=22 December 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>

:*<!-- The Obr.2022 does not exist, maybe they meant model.2022, which is also an unofficial designation/not real? -->'''T-72B3M obr.2022''': It is the most recent upgrade of the T-72B3, based on combat experience gained during the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]]. New TKN-3TP commander`s sight with thermal vision (range 3000 m) is installed. New TVK-2 driver's dual channel sight (night vision 250 m). The tank is fitted with the same armament as the previous obr. 2016 model, however its protection has been enhanced. Previously, the back of the turret was without any additional protection and now there are metal boxes with Relikt [[explosive reactive armour]] (ERA). Lower parts of the turret are covered by a metal net designed to improve protection against [[rocket-propelled grenade]]s, similar to that of the [[T-90]]M. Additional Kontakt-5 blocks installed right and left of the gun mantlet as well as on the turret top. The void in ERA coverage caused by the smoke grenade dischargers on the turret is now protected by Kontakt-1 ERA. Lower frontal hull plate is now covered with Kontakt-1 ERA. Relikt ERA plates are covering entire length of the chassis, fender/idler area and also attached to cage armor over engine compartment. Mechanism to open the armored protection panel for the Sosna-U sighting system is added, replacing the previous configuration which used bolts that had to be unscrewed manually before combat.<ref>{{cite web |title=Russia strives to modernize its T-72B3 tanks |url=https://mil.in.ua/en/news/russia-strives-to-modernize-its-t-72b3-tanks/ |website=mil.in.ua |date=6 November 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_december_2022_global_security_army_industry/russian_army_receives_new_improved_t-72b3m_tanks_fitted_with_new_armor.html|title=Russian army receives new improved T-72B3M tanks fitted with new armor|website=armyrecognition.com|date=7 December 2022}}</ref>

:*'''T-72B3A (2024)''': Basically, this is previously described model T-72B3M obr. 2022 with fully functional active protection system (APS) Sovershenstvo-A and experimental electronic warfare station Volnorez for disrupting /jamming enemy drones.

*'''T-72B Obr. 2023''': mobilization model, produced by overhauling and upgrading existing 30+ years old T-72B and T-72BA tanks during regular maintenance in armor repair plants. The purpose was to unify different models in order to simplify supply lines. There is brand new dual channel TKN-3TP commander`s sight with thermal vision range 3000 m. New 1PN96MT-02 gunner`s sight (thermal vision range 3500 m, laser rangefinder, ballistic computer) coupled with the old TPD-K1 sight (day channel, ATGM guidance, laser rangefinder 4000 m). Combination of Kontakt-5, 4S24 and Relikt ERA all-around vehicle copied from T-72B3M obr.2022. Anti-RPG net below the turret. These vehicles were made without crosswind sensor and Sosna-U sight because of increased production during the war. Everything else was upgraded to the level of basic T-72B3 (main gun 2A46M-2, gun stabilizer 2E42-4, fire control system 1A40-4, driver's sight TVN-5, steering system, twin-pin tracks, 1000&nbsp;hp engine, frontal floor plate reinforced against mines, driver seat suspended from the ceiling).<ref>{{cite web |title=Ukraine Situation Report: Russian Tanks Reverting To Cold War Thermal Sights |url=https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/ukraine-situation-report-russian-tanks-reverting-to-cold-war-thermal-sights |date=23 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231215203919/https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/ukraine-situation-report-russian-tanks-reverting-to-cold-war-thermal-sights |archive-date=15 December 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title=Russia Is Refitting Old T-72 Tanks For The War In Ukraine. But It’s Running Out Of Optics. |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2023/01/28/russia-is-refitting-old-t-72-tanks-for-the-war-in-ukraine-but-its-running-out-of-optics-for-their-crews/?sh&#615f62e1422eb5 |date=28 January 2023}}</ref>